News and Opinion

Daisies that close at night have camouflaged petals to protect them from herbivores

Species of daisy that close their flowers at night, produce colour in their exposed lower petals that makes them harder to spot for herbivores, reducing herbivory rates of flowers

Single event or epidemic? Mating behaviour and movement patterns influence the dynamics of animal diseases

Research published in explores how the movement patterns of wild boar influence outbreaks of classical swine fever

Angry birds: loud aeroplane noise causes birds to become aggressive

Aircraft affect chiffchaffs’ ability to communicate with mates and rivals – providing new insight for airport planners and wildlife conservation.

British Ecological Society launches large-scale study to test whether ‘blinding’ reduces bias in science publishing

A two-year randomised controlled trial in the British Ecological Society journal Functional Ecology will be the largest of its kind to date to assess whether hiding author details during peer review reduces bias against underrepresented groups in the science publishing process.

Mosquitoes push northern limits with time-capsule eggs to survive winters

Asian tiger mosquitoes in northern parts of the United States are rapidly adapting to survive colder winters

Connected forest networks on oil palm plantations key to protecting endangered species

Research published in Journal of Applied Ecology suggests more sustainable palm oil can be achieved through connecting areas of high quality forest within plantations.

Shasta dam releases can be managed to benefit both salmon and sturgeon, study finds

The needs of endangered winter-run chinook salmon, threatened green sturgeon and people can be met through optimised water releases into the Sacramento River.

Large herbivores increase biodiversity in tropical forests

Joint extinction of tapirs and peccaries leads to reduction in tropical forest diversity, finds 10 year study

Rare antelopes and black cats

Researchers develop tools to help manage seagrass survival

New statistical tools help prevent seagrass loss

New technique can show links between prey and microplastics

Research presents a new technique which gives insights into the exposure of marine predators to microplastics.

New study could reset how scientists view sex determination in painted turtle populations

Findings of a study go against current expectations of environmental sex determination in painted turtle populations.

Road verges provide refuge for pollinators

Research finds roadside verges can provide food and refuge for pollinators but cutting them too early in the year removes this benefit.

Study suggests economic growth benefits wildlife but growing human populations do not

Do the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals promote or limit conservation.